Commission Decision of 25 June 2010 on the implementation by Member States of surveillance programmes for avian influenza in poultry and wild birds (notified under document C(2010) 4190) (Text with EEA relevance) (2010/367/EU)

ANNEX II

PART 1

Guidelines on the implementation of surveillance programmes for avian influenza in wild birds

1. Objectives of surveillance

The objective of the surveillance programme for avian influenza in wild birds is the timely detection of HPAI of the subtype H5N1 in wild birds in order to protect poultry in poultry holdings and safeguard veterinary public health.

2. Surveillance design

(a) A risk-based surveillance (RBS) shall be implemented as a ‘passive’ surveillance system by laboratory investigation of moribund wild birds or birds found dead and it shall be specifically directed towards water bird species.

(b) Wild birds, in particular migratory water birds, that have been shown to be at a higher risk of becoming infected with, and transmitting the HPAI H5N1 virus, the ‘target species’ (TS), shall be specifically targeted.

(c) Areas close to the sea, lakes and waterways where birds were found dead; and in particular when these areas are in close proximity to poultry holdings, especially in areas where there is a high density of poultry holdings, shall be targeted.

(d) Close cooperation with epidemiologists and ornithologists and the competent authority for nature conservation shall be ensured in the preparation of the surveillance programme, assisting in species identification and optimising sampling adapted to the national situation.

(e) If the epidemiological situation for the HPAI H5N1 virus so requires, surveillance activities shall be enhanced by awareness raising and active searching and monitoring for dead or moribund wild birds, in particular for those belonging to TS. This could be triggered by the detection of the HPAI H5N1 virus in poultry and/or wild birds in neighbouring Member States and third countries or in countries which are linked via the movement of migratory wild birds, in particular those of TS, to the Member State concerned. In that case the specific migration patterns and wild bird species, which may vary in different Member States shall be taken into account.

3. Sampling procedures

(a) Sampling procedures shall be carried out in accordance with the Diagnostic Manual.

(b) Cloacal and tracheal/oropharyngeal swabs and/or tissues from wild birds found dead or moribund shall be sampled for molecular detection (PCR) and/or virus isolation.

(c) Specific care must be taken for the storage and transport of samples in accordance with paragraphs 5 and 6 of Chapter IV of the Diagnostic Manual. All avian influenza virus isolates of cases in wild birds shall be submitted to the EURL, unless a derogation has been granted as provided for in paragraph 4(d) of Chapter V of the Diagnostic Manual. Viruses of the H5/H7 subtype shall be submitted to the EURL without delay and shall be subjected to the standard characterisation tests (nucleotide sequencing/IVPI) according to the Diagnostic Manual.

(d) Sampling shall not extend beyond 31 December of the year of implementation of the surveillance programme.

4. Laboratory testing

Laboratory tests shall be carried out in accordance with the Diagnostic Manual.

The testing of samples shall be carried out at the NRL in Member States or by other laboratories authorised by the competent authorities and under the control of the NRL.

However, if a Member State wishes to use laboratory tests not laid down in the Diagnostic Manual nor described in the Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals of the OIE, those tests must first be deemed fit for purpose by the EURL, based on validated data, before being used.

Initial screening using M gene PCR shall be carried out, followed by rapid testing of positive findings for H5 which shall be carried out within a period of not more than 2 weeks. In case of a positive finding for H5, an analysis of the cleavage site shall be undertaken as soon as possible to determine whether or not it has a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) or a low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) motif. Where H5 HPAI is confirmed, further analysis to determine the N type must be done rapidly, even though this can only provide evidence to eliminate N1.

5. Follow-up

• In case of confirmed positive cases of HPAI H5 (N1)(1), the control measures laid down in Commission Decision 2006/563/EC of 11 August 2006 concerning certain protection measures in relation to highly pathogenic avian influenza of subtype H5N1 in wild birds in the Community and repealing Decision 2006/115/EC(2) shall apply.

• As part of epidemiological investigations, it is important to identify areas linked to those cases to possibly forecast further virus incursions of avian influenza, in particular in areas of relevance to poultry production, such as areas with a high density of poultry holdings.

PART 2

List of wild bird species to be targeted for sampling and testing for avian influenza — ‘target species’ (TS)

No	Scientific name	Common name
1.	Accipiter gentilis	Northern Goshawk
2.	Accipiter nisus	Eurasian Sparrowhawk
3.	Anas acuta	Northern Pintail
4.	Anas clypeata	Northern Shoveler
5.	Anas crecca	Common Teal
6.	Anas penelope	Eurasian Wigeon
7.	Anas platyrhynchos	Mallard
8.	Anas querquedula	Garganey
9.	Anas strepera	Gadwall
10.	Anser albifrons albifrons	Greater White-fronted Goose (European race)
11.	Anser anser	Greylag Goose
12.	Anser brachyrhynchus	Pink-footed Goose
13.	Anser erythropus	Lesser White-fronted Goose
14.	Anser fabalis	Bean Goose
15.	Ardea cinerea	Grey Heron
16.	Aythya ferina	Common Pochard
17.	Aythya fuligula	Tufted Duck
18.	Branta bernicla	Brent Goose
19.	Branta canadensis	Canada Goose
20.	Branta leucopsis	Barnacle Goose
21.	Branta ruficollis	Red-breasted Goose
22.	Bubo bubo	Eurasian Eagle-Owl
23.	Buteo buteo	Common Buzzard
24.	Buteo lagopus	Rough-legged Buzzard
25.	Cairina moschata	Muscovy Duck
26.	Ciconia ciconia	White Stork
27.	Circus aeruginosus	Eurasian Marsh Harrier
28.	Cygnus columbianus	Bewick’s Swan
29.	Cygnus cygnus	Whooper swan
30.	Cygnus olor	Mute Swan
31.	Falco peregrinus	Peregrine Falcon
32.	Falco tinnunculus	Common Kestrel
33.	Fulica atra	Eurasian Coot
34.	Larus canus	Common Gull
35.	Larus ridibundus	Black-headed Gull
36.	Limosa limosa	Black-tailed Godwit
37.	Marmaronetta angustirostris	Marbled Teal
38.	Mergus albellus	Smew
39.	Milvus migrans	Black Kite
40.	Milvus milvus	Red Kite
41.	Netta rufina	Red-crested Pochard
42.	Phalacrocorax carbo	Great Cormorant
43.	Philomachus pugnax	Ruff
44.	Pica pica	Eurasian Magpie
45.	Pluvialis apricaria	Eurasian Golden Plover
46.	Podiceps cristatus	Great Crested Grebe
47.	Podiceps nigricollis	Black-necked Grebe
48.	Porphyrio porphyrio	Purple Swamphen
49.	Tachybaptus ruficollis	Little Grebe
50.	Vanellus vanellus	Northern Lapwing

(1)

Disease control measures are to be implemented based on confirmation of HPAI H5 and suspicion of N1.

(2)

OJ L 222, 15.8.2006, p. 11.